Thermal horizontal completions boost heavy oil production ///

Bachaquero-01 is an extensive reservoir in eastern Lake Maracaibo, comprising about 95 km2 under the lake and about 120 km2 eastward on land. Initially, there was little development due to sand problems and low productivity. As horizontal drilling and gravel pack techniques improved, more wells were drilled, but sand control and rapid production decline problems continued. Natural-formation gravel packs were determined to be part of the problem. This article describes the switch to active gravel packs, specifying the parameters, completion methods and fluids used to minimize the otherwise rapid production decline in these horizontal, alternating-steam injection wells.